New Paramount head doesn't want to 'politicize' company as merger closes

The new chief executive of Paramount repeatedly said on Thursday he doesn’t want to “politicize” the company as its merger with Skydance Media finally closes, two weeks after the Federal Communications Commission approved the $8.4 billion deal between the entertainment firms.

Reporters grilled Paramount Chairman and CEO David Ellison on President Donald Trump’s claim of a side deal. Trump anticipated Skydance would pay an additional $20 million in advertisements, public service announcements, and “similar programming” as part of Trump’s $16 million settlement with Paramount. The company has disputed the rumor, and Ellison avoided the topic altogether.